Page 56 of Guarded from Danger

Although it’s not far from the gate to the back entrance to the ranch, maybe a couple hundred feet, it feels like miles. I keep expecting to hear a gunshot, or a pained shout, or the flare of agony in my back.

But none of those happen.

Instead, we get to the back door and Xavier hustles me inside, slamming the door shut behind him.

On a wheeze, I ask, “What about Rhian?—”

“She’ll be okay. Rhi’s a pro.” As we slow from a run to a brisk walk, he puts his arm around me as we head down the hallway. “No one is getting the jump on her,” he adds, “and no one is getting through that fence.”

“Where are we going?”

“The safe room. For now. Until the intruders are caught.”

Right. The safe room. A small room off the shared kitchen with reinforced walls, stocked with food and weapons and medical supplies. It has separate ventilation, access to the entire security system, and has an entrance to the underground passageway that leads to the garage.

Before I realize it, we’re at the door to the safe room, where Xavier punches in a long series of numbers, then waits for a retinal scan. Then the door opens with a soft swoosh, the lights in the room switching on automatically.

“Come on, sunshine. Let’s get inside.”

Oh.It’s probably not the best idea to just stand in the doorway, staring at the contents of the room without going inside.

But everything feels weird.

Now that the rush of adrenaline is subsiding, it’s like I’m moving through a thick fog.

Xavier leads me into the safe room and closes the door behind us. Drawing me into his arms, he holds me close as he presses soft kisses to the top of my head. “It’s okay, Luce,” he says, his tone low and soothing. “It’s okay. You’re safe.”

One big hand rubs up and down my back, and it’s only now I realize I’m shaking all over.

I wrap my arms around him, shuddering with residual fear. After a minute or an hour, I’m not sure how long, I finally manage to ask, “Dante? Matt? Are they okay?”

“I’m sure they are.” He strokes my hair, combing his fingers through it. “One of them will call as soon as they have news.”

“I don’t understand. I thought—” My voice catches. “I thought it was safe.”

Xavier tenses. “I’m so sorry. With all this property… The perimeter fence isn’t as secure as the one around the ranch. It has alarms and cameras, but—” He exhales. “We should havethought. I should have thought. Walking around like that, we shouldn’t have…”

He leans back to look down at me, guilt written across his features. “I’m sorry, Lucy. I just wanted you to have something?—”

His phone rings, the sudden sound making me startle.

Xavier grabs his phone. Before he answers it, he strokes my cheek. “It’s going to be okay. I promise.”

Then he taps the screen and clips out, “Do you have them?”

A few seconds later, a grim smile curves his lips. “Good. I think we should have a talk with them before we turn them over to the police.” After a beat, he replies, “Okay. I want to make sure Lucy’s alright, first. Let me get her settled; maybe have Sarah and Jade come over to my place?”

He nods again, then says, “Got it. See you in ten.”

Once he hangs up, Xavier brushes his lips across my forehead before meeting my gaze. “Matt and Dante got them. Dante said they were amateurs. Barely a threat.”

“Okay.”

“I know, Luce.” Regret seeps through his words. “I know. It was really scary. And I’m so sorry.”

It was scary. Terrifying, even. But once again, Xavier kept his word.

“You protected me,” I tell him softly. “Just like you always do. You said I’d be okay, and I am.”

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